Back to HomeBeta

ICD-10 Coding for Blindness in Right Eye(H54.411A, H54.415A)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Blindness in Right Eye. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Right Eye BlindnessMonocular Blindness - Right Eye

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Blindness in Right Eye

H54.41-H54.42Primary Range

Blindness and low vision in one eye

This range includes codes specific to blindness in one eye, including the right eye, with varying levels of vision in the other eye.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
H54.411ABlindness right eye category 1, normal vision left eyeUse when the right eye is legally blind and the left eye has normal vision.
  • Snellen chart showing ≤20/200 OD
  • Humphrey 24-2 visual fields ≤20°
H54.415ABlindness right eye category 5, normal vision left eyeUse when the right eye is completely blind and the left eye has normal vision.
  • No light perception (NLP) in right eye
  • Visual field test showing no detectable field in right eye

Clinical Decision Support

Always review the patient's clinical documentation thoroughly. When in doubt, choose the more specific code and ensure documentation supports it.

Key Information: ICD-10 code for blindness right eye

Essential facts and insights about Blindness in Right Eye

The ICD-10 code for blindness in the right eye, category 1 with normal vision in the left eye, is H54.411A. For category 5, it is H54.415A.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for blindness right eye

Blindness right eye category 1, normal vision left eye
Non-billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Right eye visual acuity ≤20/200 or visual field ≤20°

documentation Criteria

  • Specify the category of blindness and underlying cause

Applicable To

  • Legal blindness in right eye with normal vision in left eye

Excludes

  • Blindness in both eyes (H54.0)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Snellen chart showing ≤20/200 OD
  • Humphrey 24-2 visual fields ≤20°

Code-Specific Risks

  • Ensure documentation specifies acuity and field measurements.

Coding Notes

  • Always sequence the underlying cause before the H54 code.

Ancillary Codes

Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.

Primary open-angle glaucoma, right eye, severe stage

H40.1132
Use to indicate glaucoma as the cause of blindness in the right eye.

Tractional retinal detachment, right eye

H33.041
Use to indicate retinal detachment as the cause of blindness in the right eye.

Differential Codes

Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions to the primary diagnosis.

Blindness, unspecified eye

H54.40
Use H54.40 when the specific eye affected is not documented.

Unqualified visual loss

H54.6
Use H54.6 when the category of blindness is not specified.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Blindness in Right Eye to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code H54.411A.

Impact

Clinical: Inaccurate patient records and potential mismanagement., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Financial: Potential for denied claims or reduced reimbursement.

Mitigation Strategy

Always document the cause of blindness in clinical notes., Use templates to ensure all necessary information is captured.

Impact

Reimbursement: May lead to lower reimbursement rates., Compliance: Non-compliance with ICD-10 specificity requirements., Data Quality: Decreases the accuracy of patient records.

Mitigation Strategy

Always specify the affected eye and category of blindness.

Impact

Using unspecified codes when specific laterality and category are known.

Mitigation Strategy

Implement regular training on ICD-10 specificity requirements.

Documentation errors, coding pitfalls, and audit risks are interconnected aspects of medical coding and billing. Addressing all three areas helps ensure accurate coding, optimal reimbursement, and regulatory compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about ICD-10 coding for Blindness in Right Eye, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Blindness in Right Eye

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Blindness in Right Eye. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Ophthalmology Progress Note

Specialty: Ophthalmology

Required Elements

  • Presenting visual acuity
  • Visual field test results
  • Underlying cause
  • Imaging findings

Example Documentation

OD: CF @ 3ft. OS: 20/20. Imaging: OCT reveals total retinal detachment OD. Diagnosis: Blindness OD category 5 (H54.415A) secondary to tractional retinal detachment (H33.041).

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient has poor vision in right eye.
Good Documentation Example
Presenting visual acuity OD: 20/400. Goldman visual fields demonstrate ≤5° central island. No improvement with refraction.
Explanation
The good example provides specific acuity and field measurements, supporting the diagnosis.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Blindness in Right Eye? Ask your questions below.

Ask about any ICD-10 CM code, or paste a medical note

We build tools for
clinician happiness.

Learn More at Freed.ai
Back to HomeBeta

Built by Freed

Try Freed for free for 7 days.

Learn more